Post by Mark on Feb 10, 2008 7:39:47 GMT -8
One of the things that I'm working on in our community is trying to help those coming from the gentile Church see the beauty and value of the Messianic Liturgy, as taken out of the Jewish Synagogue. I've been writing a paper each week on different prayers and thought some of you might be interested in what I've shared thus far. I'll start posting them in this area, as I go along, hoping that these generate some response of praise to Adonai our God, or stimulate questions on the Judaic perspective of our faith.
Kedushat HaShem
"You are holy and Your Name is holy, and Your holy ones praise You every day. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, the God who is holy."
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word "holy" as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness." Webster wasn’t Hebrew. It’s not that the definition is inaccurate but that it is simply not substantive. The word "kadosh", translated "holy" reaches farther and deeper than any definition we can give it. In fact, the word has the idea of being transcendent of our understanding: you can’t get there from here.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isa 55:9 KJV)
Yet, there is a question that we are left with in the prayer that we offer in the Kedushat HaShem. Who are the holy ones? Immediately, we assume that holy ones are the angels who praise Him, crying out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3, Revelations 4:8). Yet, it is His chosen people to whom Adonai commands, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 20:7, 1st Peter 1:15-16).
The word kadosh means to be absolutely separate and distinct, like none other. When a Hebrew groom places the ring on the finger of his bride, he recites, "harei at mekudeshet li" ("behold you are sanctified, to me,"). This description makes it clear that the holiness of Adonai is a little more than just strange or different. His holiness is absolutely precious: to be desired and pursued more than anything.
The original premise of holiness puts it completely beyond our reach. He is holy. We most certainly are not. Yet, in the Kedushat haShem gives us hope. "Your holy ones praise Your Name." God’s people are Holy: not because of who we are; but because He has allowed us into His Presence. He has given us license and privilege to praise His Name; and by so doing we are made holy.
Kedushat HaShem
"You are holy and Your Name is holy, and Your holy ones praise You every day. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, the God who is holy."
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word "holy" as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness." Webster wasn’t Hebrew. It’s not that the definition is inaccurate but that it is simply not substantive. The word "kadosh", translated "holy" reaches farther and deeper than any definition we can give it. In fact, the word has the idea of being transcendent of our understanding: you can’t get there from here.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isa 55:9 KJV)
Yet, there is a question that we are left with in the prayer that we offer in the Kedushat HaShem. Who are the holy ones? Immediately, we assume that holy ones are the angels who praise Him, crying out, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3, Revelations 4:8). Yet, it is His chosen people to whom Adonai commands, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 20:7, 1st Peter 1:15-16).
The word kadosh means to be absolutely separate and distinct, like none other. When a Hebrew groom places the ring on the finger of his bride, he recites, "harei at mekudeshet li" ("behold you are sanctified, to me,"). This description makes it clear that the holiness of Adonai is a little more than just strange or different. His holiness is absolutely precious: to be desired and pursued more than anything.
The original premise of holiness puts it completely beyond our reach. He is holy. We most certainly are not. Yet, in the Kedushat haShem gives us hope. "Your holy ones praise Your Name." God’s people are Holy: not because of who we are; but because He has allowed us into His Presence. He has given us license and privilege to praise His Name; and by so doing we are made holy.
